5 months ago
ShareThey are healthy meals from giving hearts. A truck load of nearly 3,000 pounds of deer meat arrived at Project Hope Food Bank in Hot Springs Monday.
That's enough for 12,000 meals. All of it goes to needy families, and the response is always great.
Food bank director Ted Thompson says, "Almost every time they come in, do you have any more meat? Do you have any more meat?"
Thompson says about 20 percent of Arkansas' population lives in poverty. That's the fourth highest in the country.
He explains, "We have seen a marked increase in the number of people and families that are in need."
It's about a 75 percent increase to be exact. Thompson blames the struggling economy and people losing their jobs.
That's where Ronnie Ritter steps in. He's one of the many heroes behind this mission.
He says, "We could always use more. There is always a need. I don't think we can fulfill the need."
But he sure is trying. The program with Arkansas hunters started in 2000 and depends upon the generosity of hunters to donate venison and other wild game. Workers, cut it, grind it and then load it up on trucks. It is then off to food pantries across the Natural State, for those that need it most.
"It is really difficult for them to get meat, so we found a way to translate this deer into a product they can use. They get a lot of dry foods a lot of can foods, but meat is really difficult to get," says Ritter.
Arkansas deer hunters are Today's THV's newest heroes. They're ordinary people making a difference when it counts the most.
There are about 40 meat processors statewide who process the venison from hunters. The organization says donating venison and other wild game is a great way to make sure the meat is not wasted. For more information on the program click here.
If you are a processor and would like to get involved, you can call 1-877-945-2543.
